as in to catch
to move fast enough to get even with
she had to hurry to overtake her friends, who had forgotten their umbrellas the thunderstorm overtook them suddenly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overtake
The fire department further said that the two individuals were reportedly overtaken by some type of gas inside the mill.
—
David Chiu, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
This year’s festival was marked by an air of uncertainty, as people were not sure how to feel about the impending move even as they were overtaken by nostalgia for the festival’s past.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
If public opinion begins to swing against Schumer's caucus, however, the angst on the left may overtake any debate.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
The look is evolving a bit for 2026, though; mid- and low-rise cuts are overtaking their high-rise counterparts, lending the spring a relaxed, lived-in air.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtake
David Chiu, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
This year’s festival was marked by an air of uncertainty, as people were not sure how to feel about the impending move even as they were overtaken by nostalgia for the festival’s past.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
If public opinion begins to swing against Schumer's caucus, however, the angst on the left may overtake any debate.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
The look is evolving a bit for 2026, though; mid- and low-rise cuts are overtaking their high-rise counterparts, lending the spring a relaxed, lived-in air.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overtake
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtake
Verb
-
Continue reading … OUT IN THE OPEN – Noem says government leaker caught, will be referred for prosecution.—
,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
One month after the US carried out an attack in Venezuela to capture its president, civilians in the South American country remain caught between uncertainty and expectations of governmental change.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But then Linda goes chasing a wild boar through the jungle while toting a bamboo spear, and impales it to death in a gleefully gratuitous scene of CGI gore.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The provincial chief minister, Sarfraz Bugti, wrote on X that security forces were chasing the insurgents.—
Abdul Sattar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The actress paired the gold frock with a statement necklace that reached her torso, along with sparkling earrings, rings and bracelets.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Reds reach deal with Suarez Eugenio Suarez and the Cincinnati Reds have agreed on a $15 million, one-year contract, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Sunday night.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtake.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtake. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
